HB-40 would cap insulin costs

A bill in a Texas House committee would cap monthly insulin out-of pocket costs at $50 per month.

The HB-40 was filed by House Democrat James Talarico and has gained bipartisan support.

Healthcare professionals and patients have seen an estimated 1200 percent in the cost of insulin in a 20-year period. For many who take insulin, it has become a choice of paying utilities rent or mortgage versus paying for a single vial of insulin.

The Talarico House Bill 40 would cap the out-of-pocket cost at $50 per month, as well as capping the cost of insulin supplies such as needles, sensors and meters.

As of Friday, 103 Texas House members signed onto the bill, giving it a super majority of support. Although HB 40 has bipartisan and bicameral support, some critics say it focuses too much on insurance companies without holding drug manufacturers responsible.

“The blame doesn’t just fall on the manufacturers,” Talarico parries. “In some cases, insulin products have actually decreased in price yet out of pocket costs have increased over the past few years. So, health insurance companies also carry some of the blame with this problem.”

Talarico acknowledged that insulin pricing is a complex problem. He sees HB 40 as one part of the solution.

“This is just a step toward our eventual goal, which is free insulin and free insulin supplies for Texans with diabetes,” Talarico said.